Customer Reviews

The Shadow Side (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

With childhood tragedy as a motivator, Dr. Elizabeth "Eli" Barnes devotes her life to medical research. Indeed, her one and only love is work. Consequently, Eli eagerly anticipates receiving the Distinguished Woman of Science Award for the development of Valazine, a drug that treats depression. But before the ceremony, Detective Adam Boedecker approaches her, convinced that Valazine has contributed to a sudden rash of murder/suicides. While she initially rejects the possibility, Eli's conscience quickly leads her own research and shocking conclusions.

Adam's career as a street cop nearly ended three years ago when a kid put a Saturday night special to his head and pulled the trigger. Brain damage left him struggling to relearn ordinary skills while his wife slept with his best friend. Admittedly a better cop than a brother, Adam concludes his brother's usage of Valazine led to murder/suicide, leading him to unofficially pursue investigation regardless of the cost. Moreover, intrigued by Eli's strengths and vulnerabilities, Adam does not anticipate the damage the investigation could do to his heart.

All the more shocking for its potential to appear in contemporary headlines, THE SHADOW SIDE presents an evocative, chilling tale of suspense. Once again author Linda Castillo displays remarkable talent for creating a tale both plausible yet extraordinary. Both Eli and Adam are damaged, finding recovery as they move through a maze of antagonism and suspicion to learning to trust their hearts and each other. As Eli's priorities shift and as Adam overcomes his disability, their characters develop with strength and power, even as they masterfully reflect the edgy, underlying tension of the novel. A novel fraught with chilling intensity and betrayal, THE SHADOW SIDE comes very highly recommended.

Dr. Elizabeth Barnes has spent her whole life trying to find a way to help people battle depression. A tragedy in her own past has driven her to do all she can to help the people that are plagued by depression. After spending ten years researching and developing a new drug, Valazine is finally out on the market, and studies show her it's thriving. Which is why she is so shocked when burnt out cop, Adam Bodecker forces himself into her office and tells her that her drug is responsible for turning people taking Valazine into violent monsters.

Det. Adam Bodecker thought he lost it all on the night that he was shot. He had no idea what lost was until the day he learned that his brother murdered his pregnant wife and then turned the gun on himself. Not believing for a second that Michael could do that, Adam digs deeper, and what he finds, infuriates and well as shocks him. All he wants are answers, and the one person who could give them to him is the woman who is partly responsible for the drug being on the market at all.

The Shadow Side shows Castillo's extrodinary writing skills once again as these two people race to uncover the truth before any more lives are taken. You have danger, suspense, romance and sex, along with a plot that will keep you spellbound in all his horrifying glory.

Linda Castillo caught my attention with "The Perfect Victim". Her new novel, "The Shadow Side" has truly won my respect. Dr. Elizabeth Barnes has devoted her life and her extraordinary talents to developing a cure for the depression that led her mother to commit suicide at age thirty five. Detctive Adam Boedecker, a burnt out cop on disability after being shot in the head three years earlier, needs to prove that his brother's murder suicide was the result of taking Valzine the new drug developed by Dr, Elizabeth Barnes released by Dr. Barnes employers. Adam's research uncovers a string of similar cases all tied to Valzine. At first angered by Adams accusations, Elizabeth soon suspects that one or more of her colleagues cannot be trusted. After the murder of Elizabeth's friend and mentor she finds herself on the run with only Adam to help her. Together they must pursue a killer and help eachother to heal. This is a well written and suspenseful tale that is perfect for a day at the beach or pool.

THE SHADOW SIDE is an awesome novel of romantic suspence with an intriguing plot and characters that I found I could really relate to. I simply couldn't turn the pages fast enough, but also didn't want it end. Fans of romantic suspence will love it as much as I did!

Linda Castillo is an author who will go very far, and I will be eagerly awaiting the release of her next novel!

This was a fantastic story. I could not put it down. Linda Castillo is a great author and I hope she keeps the books coming. I thought The Perfect Victim was good, but this one tops that.

This combination of romance and mystery couldn't be better. Keeps you turning pages until the very end.

I loved this book and Linda Castillo is my new favorite Author...I am going to read all of her books hoping they will be as good as this. The Shadow Side is a fast paced, romantic suspense novel that you won't want to put down. I look forward to reading more from Linda Castillo.

This story really kept me interested. very likeable characters, I recommend this book . The only reason I only gave it 4 stars, is that it lagged a bit toward the end and I was able to guess who the bad guy was.

Adam Boedecker is a homicide detective on leave after taking a bullet to the brain three years earlier. Losing his wife to his best friend was bad enough, but his brother is discovered dead in a murder-suicide and he isn't allowed in on the investigation. After crashing the crime scene and discovering a line of investigation the detectives are not pursuing, he finds himself wondering if a medication that Michael was taking for depression might not have contributed to the deaths.

Valazine was developed and tested by Dr. Elizabeth "Eli" Barnes, whose childhood trauma forged the career path she chose. She thinks the disheveled detective is nuts when he crashes her office with allegations that the drug was responsible not only for the deaths in his family, but several others. As guilt takes over and she feels compelled to look into the raw test data with Adam, Eli finds her life, career and heart in jeopardy. Is it a coincidence, or did they unleash a monster of a drug on the public?

With an interesting plot, the story for the most part falls flat and at times just goes on and on. At only 385 pages, it feels more like a grueling 585 pages and was hard to remain focused with all the detail and introspection. Despite its length, it feels unfinished (or perhaps underdeveloped). The romance lacks chemistry and is almost non-existent - and pretty late in the story. Missing from the action is the ex-wife who betrayed Adam; she's mentioned only in passing. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who is a bad guy in this predictable story; it's an okay story - definitely not one up to repeated scrutiny. Recommended only to fans of the author, who has written much better.

I love Linda Castillo and I think she is a great author. This book keeps you guessing, like all her books. It's hard to put the book down. I think anyone who has a chance to read one of Linda Castillo's books will fall in love with her writing.